Inter-individual genetic variation in the temperature response of Leptosphaeria species pathogenic on oilseed rape

It is important to understand the likely response of plant pathogens to increased temperatures due to anthropogenic climate change. This includes evolutionary change due to selection on genetically based variation in growth rate with temperature. We attempted to quantify this in two ways. First, radial mycelial growth rates in agar culture were determined for a collection of 44 English isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans and 17 isolates of L. biglobosa, at 14 temperatures. For L. maculans the genetic variances in four parameters were measured: minimum temperature allowing growth, optimum temperature, growth rate at the optimum temperature and growth rate at the highest usable temperature, 31.8°C. The standard deviations were 0.068 °C , 1.28°C, 0.21 mm day-1 and 0.31 mm day 1 °C-1 respectively. For L. biglobosa, these figures were, respectively: immeasurably small, 1.31 °C, 0.053 mm day-1 and 0.53 mm day- °C-1. In addition, the incidence and severity of phoma stem canker in planta over a natural growing cycle at four temperatures (16°C, 20°C, 24°C and 28°C) around the average culture optimum were determined. There was no correlation between in vitro and in planta growth, and the decrease in pathogen measures either side of the optimum temperature was much less for in planta growth than for in vitro growth. We conclude that both pathogens have the capacity to evolve to adapt to changes in environmental conditions, but that predictions of the effect of this adaptation, or estimates of heritability in natural conditions, cannot be made from measurements in vitro

Dust and the spectral energy distribution of the OH/IR star OH 127.8+0.0: Evidence for circumstellar metallic iron

We present a fit to the spectral energy distribution of OH 127.8+0.0, a typical asymptotic giant branch star with an optically thick circumstellar dust shell. The fit to the dust spectrum is achieved using non-spherical grains consisting of metallic iron, amorphous and crystalline silicates and water ice. Previous similar attempts have not resulted in a satisfactory fit to the observed spectral energy distributions, mainly because of an apparent lack of opacity in the 3--8 micron region of the spectrum. Non-spherical metallic iron grains provide an identification for the missing source of opacity in the near-infrared. Using the derived dust composition, we have calculated spectra for a range of mass-loss rates in order to perform a consistency check by comparison with other evolved stars. The L-[12 micron] colours of these models correctly predict the mass-loss rate of a sample of AGB stars, strengthening our conclusion that the metallic iron grains dominate the near-infrared flux. We discuss a formation mechanism for non-spherical metallic iron grains.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication by A&

Automating nitrogen fertiliser management for cereals (Auto-N). AHDB Project Report No.561

Uncertainty in estimating fertiliser N requirements is large, with differences between recommended and measured N optima frequently exceeding 50 kg/ha. Precision farming technologies including yield mapping, canopy sensing, satellite imaging and soil mapping are now common-place on farm. The Auto-N project sought to apply the information readily available from these technologies within an ‘Auto-N logic’ to improve the precision of N fertiliser decision making. The ‘Auto-N logic’ was derived from that used to estimate fertiliser N requirements as set out in the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds guide Nitrogen for winter wheat – management guidelines; this guide suggests that N requirements should be calculated by subtracting Soil N Supply (SNS) from Crop N Demand (CND: grain yield x crop N content) and dividing by Fertiliser N Recovery (FNR); thus the ‘Auto-N logic’ uses yield and protein maps to inform estimates of CND, canopy sensing to inform estimates of SNS and soil sensing to inform estimates of FNR. Novel chessboard N response experiments were set up on six commercial fields between harvest years 2010 and 2012 to quantify spatial variation in N requirement, to explain it in terms of CND, SNS and FNR, hence to develop the ‘Auto-N logic’. At each site, each farmer applied N as liquid urea plus ammonium nitrate (UAN) using the farm sprayer twice, in perpendicular directions, to create a systematic grid of ~400 plots (~12m × 12m) fertilised with N rates of 0, 120, 240 or 360 kg/ha; the area of each experiment exceeded 4 ha. Grain yields were measured by small-plot combine, grain samples were analysed for protein, and N harvest index and total N uptake were determined from pre-harvest grab samples. Values were then estimated for all variates and all N levels for all plots by kriging. Response curves were fitted, and N optima and their components (SNS, CND, FNR) were derived assuming 5 kg grain would pay for 1 kg fertiliser N. Within field variation in optimum N exceeded 100 kg/ha at all sites; spatial variation in optimal yield was greater than 2 t/ha at all sites and variation in SNS was generally greater than 50 kg/ha. Some of the spatial variation in optimum N was explained in terms of SNS and CND. However, the tendency for positive correlations between SNS and optimum yield was striking, and hindered complete explanation of spatial variation in optimum N: i.e. high yielding areas tended to have greater SNS, so the increased requirement from higher crop N demand was counteracted by the reduced requirement from higher SNS. Spatial variation in CND and SNS was reasonably well estimated from the use of past yield maps and crop sensing, respectively; often, similar within-field patterns showed through for both. However, variation in FNR was also large and was unpredictable. Using clustering techniques, zoning, performance mapping or simple averaging of data from five farms, it was shown that past yield maps could be used usefully to estimate variation in CND. In addition, variation in SNS could be predicted from canopy sensing in early spring (an algorithm was developed based on sensed NDVI and thermal time since sowing). Calibrations for crop N uptake, biomass and crop N status (Nitrogen Nutrition Index) from canopy sensing were explored, but no rational basis could be found to justify their inclusion in the ‘Auto-N logic’. Validation trials were set up with farmers on 11 fields in 2013 & 2014; these used adjacent tramlines to compare the Auto-N logic with the farm’s own practice, 50 kg/ha more N and 50 kg/ha less N. Evaluation of these trials along with economic analysis of the chessboard trials showed the benefits of precision in judging N requirements to be modest, whereas benefits of accuracy (proximity to the measured mean) were much greater. Whilst this work demonstrated the feasibility of automating judgements of N requirements within fields using precision information, the variability in CND, SNS and FNR, and crucially the interactions between them, meant that the use of such systems would not guarantee increased accuracy or precision of N use. The evidence suggests that variable rate N management can give only modest returns, even with a system making perfect predictions, if the field is already receiving the right average N rate. The results showed that the most important decisions concern N use for whole farms, then for whole fields, then for areas within fields. Precision technologies can help with all of these, especially through comparisons of crops between and within farms. However, the most effective aspect of precision farming technologies is probably the empowerment of farmers to test retrospectively the effects of their N decisions (or indeed any decisions) on-farm. Given the variation in and unpredictability of N requirements between fields and between farms the only way farmers can know for sure whether their chosen N rates were right is to test yield effects of different N rates – this is relatively easy now, by simply applying (say) 60 kg/ha more and 60 kg/ha less to adjacent tramlines. The chessboard trials initiated here have transformed our understanding of N responses and shown new possibilities for spatial experimentation, not only to empower on-farm testing, but to understand how soil variation affects husbandry outcomes. These trials show that N use is not the major cause of the very large spatial variation seen in yield. Thus, understanding the soil-related causes of yield variation should, and can, now become a priority for soil and agronomic research

Crystalline silicate dust around evolved stars III. A correlations study of crystalline silicate features

We have carried out a quantitative trend analysis of the crystalline silicates observed in the ISO spectra of a sample of 14 stars with different evolutionary backgrounds. We have modeled the spectra using a simple dust radiative transfer model and have correlated the results with other known parameters. We confirm the abundance difference of the crystalline silicates in disk and in outflow sources, as found by Molster et al. (1999, Nature 401, 563). We found some indication that the enstatite over forsterite abundance ratio differs, it is slightly higher in the outflow sources with respect to the disk sources. It is clear that more data is required to fully test this hypothesis. We show that the 69.0 micron feature, attributed to forsterite, may be a very suitable temperature indicator. We found that the enstatite is more abundant than forsterite in almost all sources. The temperature of the enstatite grains is about equal to that of the forsterite grains in the disk sources but slightly lower in the outflow sources. Crystalline silicates are on average colder than amorphous silicates. This may be due to the difference in Fe content of both materials. Finally we find an indication that the ratio of ortho to clino enstatite, which is about 1:1 in disk sources, shifts towards ortho enstatite in the high luminosity (outflow) sources.Comment: 16 pages, 20 figures, accepted by A&A, this paper and others (in this series) can also be found at http://zon.wins.uva.nl/~frankm/papers.htm

Parallel hippocampal-parietal circuits for self- and goal-oriented processing

The hippocampus is critically important for a diverse range of cognitive processes, such as episodic memory, prospective memory, affective processing, and spatial navigation. Using individual-specific precision functional mapping of resting-state functional MRI data, we found the anterior hippocampus (head and body) to be preferentially functionally connected to the default mode network (DMN), as expected. The hippocampal tail, however, was strongly preferentially functionally connected to the parietal memory network (PMN), which supports goal-oriented cognition and stimulus recognition. This anterior-posterior dichotomy of resting-state functional connectivity was well-matched by differences in task deactivations and anatomical segmentations of the hippocampus. Task deactivations were localized to the hippocampal head and body (DMN), relatively sparing the tail (PMN). The functional dichotomization of the hippocampus into anterior DMN-connected and posterior PMN-connected parcels suggests parallel but distinct circuits between the hippocampus and medial parietal cortex for self- versus goal-oriented processing

Isolation and characterization of two plant growth-promoting bacteria from the rhizoplane of a legume (Lupinus albescens) in sandy soil

Duas linhagens bacterianas que apresentaram amplificação de parte do gene nifH, RP1p e RP2p, pertencentes aos gêneros Enterobacter e Serratia, foram isoladas do rizoplano de Lupinus albescens. Essas bactérias são Gram-negativas, com formato de bastonete, móveis, anaeróbias facultativas e apresentam multiplicação rápida, com colônias alcançando diâmetros de 3–4 mm em 24 h de incubação a 28 ºC. RP1p e RP2p também foram capazes de multiplicação em temperaturas elevadas, como 40 ºC, na presença de alta concentração de NaCl (2–3 % v/v) e em valores de pH que variaram de 4 a 10. A linhagem RP1p foi capaz de utilizar 10 das 14 fontes de carbono avaliadas, enquanto a linhagem RP2p utilizou nove. Os isolados produziram sideróforos e compostos indólicos, mas foram incapazes de solubilizar fosfatos. A inoculação de L. albescens com as linhagens RP1p e RP2p resultou em aumento significativo do peso das plantas secas, o que demonstra que essas bactérias apresentam propriedades que favorecem o crescimento vegetal.Two bacterial strains that amplified part of the nifH gene, RP1p and RP2p, belonging to the genus Enterobacter and Serratia, were isolated from the rhizoplane of Lupinus albescens. These bacteria are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, facultative anaerobic, and fast-growing; the colonies reach diameters of 3–4 mm within 24 h of incubation at 28 °C. The bacteria were also able to grow at temperatures as high as 40 °C, in the presence of high (2–3 % w/v) NaCl concentrations and pH 4 -10. Strain RP1p was able to utilize 10 of 14 C sources, while RP2p utilized nine. The isolates produced siderophores and indolic compounds, but none of them was able to solubilize phosphate. Inoculation of L. albescens with RP1p and RP2p strains resulted in a significant increase in plant dry matter, indicating the plant-growth-promoting abilities of these bacteria

A 10 micron spectroscopic survey of Herbig Ae star disks: grain growth and crystallization

We present spectroscopic observations of a large sample of Herbig Ae stars in the 10 micrometer spectral region. We perform compositional fits of the spectra based on properties of homogeneous as well as inhomogeneous spherical particles, and derive the mineralogy and typical grain sizes of the dust responsible for the 10 $\mu$m emission. Several trends are reported that can constrain theoretical models of dust processing in these systems: i) none of the sources consists of fully pristine dust comparable to that found in the interstellar medium, ii) all sources with a high fraction of crystalline silicates are dominated by large grains, iii) the disks around more massive stars (M >~ 2.5 M_sun, L >~ 60 L_sun) have a higher fraction of crystalline silicates than those around lower mass stars, iv) in the subset of lower mass stars (M <~ 2.5 M_sun) there is no correlation between stellar parameters and the derived crystallinity of the dust. The correlation between the shape and strength of the 10 micron silicate feature reported by van Boekel et al. (2003) is reconfirmed with this larger sample. The evidence presented in this paper is combined with that of other studies to present a likely scenario of dust processing in Herbig Ae systems. We conclude that the present data favour a scenario in which the crystalline silicates are produced in the innermost regions of the disk, close to the star, and transported outward to the regions where they can be detected by means of 10 micron spectroscopy. Additionally, we conclude that the final crystallinity of these disks is reached very soon after active accretion has stopped.Comment: 22 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in A&A. Note: this submission was replaced on 26.04.2005: we used incorrect terminology in figure 6 and the discussion of this figure. The vertical axis label of figure 6 has been corrected and now reads "Normalized 11.3/9.8 Flux Ratio", in the discussion of this figure (section 4.2) "continuum subtracted" has been replaced by "normalized

Reference genes for gene expression studies in wheat flag leaves grown under different farming conditions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Internal control genes with highly uniform expression throughout the experimental conditions are required for accurate gene expression analysis as no universal reference genes exists. In this study, the expression stability of 24 candidate genes from <it>Triticum aestivum </it>cv. Cubus flag leaves grown under organic and conventional farming systems was evaluated in two locations in order to select suitable genes that can be used for normalization of real-time quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) reactions. The genes were selected among the most common used reference genes as well as genes encoding proteins involved in several metabolic pathways.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Individual genes displayed different expression rates across all samples assayed. Applying geNorm, a set of three potential reference genes were suitable for normalization of RT-qPCR reactions in winter wheat flag leaves cv. Cubus: <it>TaFNRII </it>(ferredoxin-NADP(H) oxidoreductase; AJ457980.1), <it>ACT2 </it>(actin 2; TC234027), and <it>rrn26 </it>(a putative homologue to RNA 26S gene; AL827977.1). In addition of these three genes that were also top-ranked by NormFinder, two extra genes: <it>CYP18-2 </it>(Cyclophilin A, AY456122.1) and <it>TaWIN1 </it>(14-3-3 like protein, AB042193) were most consistently stably expressed.</p> <p>Furthermore, we showed that <it>TaFNRII, ACT2</it>, and <it>CYP18-2 </it>are suitable for gene expression normalization in other two winter wheat varieties (Tommi and Centenaire) grown under three treatments (organic, conventional and no nitrogen) and a different environment than the one tested with cv. Cubus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provides a new set of reference genes which should improve the accuracy of gene expression analyses when using wheat flag leaves as those related to the improvement of nitrogen use efficiency for cereal production.</p

Fertilizing Nature: A Tragedy of Excess in the Commons

Why has nitrogen fertilizer use declined in some countries while increasing in others, despite significant environmental harm? Proper crop management strategies offer environmental and economic benefits without sacrificing yields